Farming can often become a lonely job - it's long hours of hard work regardless of the weather, spent potentially alone.
These long and hard hours often leave very little time and energy for social events in the evening or on weekends, further adding to the isolation.
This is where the power of social media is amazing! The farming community is alive and thriving on social media, Instagram especially. Farmers all over Ireland (and the world) take to the platform to share their days; the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between!
To get you started on your agri-Instagram journey we’ve pulled together some absolute must follows for you:
@Louisecrowleyfarms
Louise Crowley is a dairy farmer in Co Limerick farming with her father.
Louise showcases her life every day on the farm, from a busy spring spent calving to an equally busy summer driving tractors for her local contractors during silage and maize season.
Louise is proof that hard work and dedication pay off.
@hazellmullins
Hazell Mullins is a large-animal vet from Co Cork.
Hazell’s page offers a fabulous insight into the life of a farm vet. She is also the co-founder of Vet Space Ireland, which aims to promote learning and positivity within the veterinary world.
Hazell also helps her dad to run their family dairy farm.
@mcmilkingit
Mark Collins is a dairy farmer from Co Tipperary, running a grass-based system.
Mark graduated from UCD with a degree in dairy business in 2020 and has been taking the family farm from strength to strength.
Mark was also a 2022 Rose of Tralee escort, as well as winning escort of the year for the 2022 Queen of the Land festival.
@eweknitireland
Karol Devaney is a man of many talents. Not content with being a sheep farmer and competitive shearer, he also runs his own country clothing brand and podcast.
Karol is currently documenting his time in New Zealand as he undertakes his first shearing season in the southern hemisphere.
@K8_eeee
Katie Shanahan is from Co Cork and works part-time on her family sheep and beef farm, alongside running a successful Irish dancing school.
Katie is not your stereotypical farmer and is proud of it (as she should be).
Her page is filled with colour and energy (and that’s just her adorable blue-merl puppy), and some of the best farmer transition videos going!
@the_sheep_farmers
Based in the Sperrin Mountains in Co Derry, Eoin Kelly documents life as a hill farmer and father of two.
As you can expect from the name of his account, Eoin is a sheep farmer, who lambs just over 1,000 ewes.
@sophie_bell__
Sophie Bell and her father recently made the change from beef cattle to contract heifer rearing on their family farm in Co Cavan.
Sophie recently graduated from Harper Adams University with a degree in agriculture with animal science and now works full-time as a quality control analyst, as well as taking on the family farm.
Sophie has an amazing talent for being able to capture the beauty in everyday farming through her photos and videos.
@highlandcattleireland
If there was ever a way to settle the debate on which is the most beautiful cattle breed, Michelle Shaughnessy’s Instagram page would put the Highland cow in good running to come out top.
Michelle is a Highland cattle breeder based in Co Longford and her absolute love for her animals radiates in all that she puts out.
@farmersjournal
And, of course, no farming Instagram list would be complete without including our very own page.
The best place to stay up to date on Irish Farmers Journal events and promotions and see the best pictures from inside the paper each week!